Guincho Beach
Cascais - Portugal
Spot Type
Wave
Water
Dark - Clear
Beach
Sand
Rider Lever
intermediate
Spot characteristics
Spot Type
Wave
Rider Skill
intermediate
Crowd
Seasonal Crowd
Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Dark - Clear
Tide Influence
All tide levels with different conditions (chop - flat - wave)
Description of Guincho Beach (Portugal)
Guincho Beach in Cascais is the kind of place that slaps you in the face—in a good way. It’s raw, exposed, and absolutely not for the faint of heart. I’ve ridden here on everything from mellow 18-knot sessions to full-on 40+ knot days with 3-meter swell smashing in from the Atlantic. You don’t just show up and cruise at Guincho—you commit. Set against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs and windswept dunes, it’s a long, wide beach with soft sand that makes launching fairly easy, though you’ll want to pick your spot carefully if it’s sketchy with other riders or sunbathers nearby.
The legendary Nortada—the dominant thermal wind from the north—gets funnelled down the coast and cranks during the afternoon, especially between May and September when the season is at its prime. For me, late June through August has always been the most reliable; I’ve had entire weeks where we were lit on 7s and 9s for hours straight, especially if you time your session to start around 1 or 2 p.m., just after it starts building in. It really kicks hardest by mid to late afternoon. But here’s the deal: the wave conditions are no joke. This isn’t your butter-flat training lagoon. Guincho throws up serious Atlantic swell. Even with your game face on, those sets can sneak up and toss you off balance if you underestimate them. You’ll often find double-ups with side-onshore wind and a semi-choppy face that demands constant attention.
The water is cold—even in August—so bring a decent wetsuit. A 4/3 will usually cover you for most of the season, although booties are clutch if you’re ending up near the rocks more often than not. Helmets and impact vests? Not a bad shout here, particularly when it’s firing.It’s not unusual to share water with a mixed crowd—windies, surfers, and kites.
Despite its rep, it has a friendly vibe. Everyone’s there because this spot delivers some of the gnarliest and most fun conditions in mainland Portugal. Just respect the space, especially during the summer surge when everyone’s out to ride that wind window. The good news is, there’s normally enough beach for everyone unless you’re launching right in peak time.
Off the water, Cascais is less than 10 minutes away and full of restaurants, surf shops, and options to rest your bones. For anyone coming from Lisbon, hop on the train to Cascais and grab a local bus or Uber to the beach—it’s easier than parking in the summer chaos.
All in all, Guincho is for riders who don’t mind getting worked every now and then, but who come for the push and payoff of raw ocean riding. It isn’t forgiving, but that’s part of its charm. If you're chasing strong wind and want to throw into some serious surf, this one's worth every punch it throws your way.
Spot Gallery (3)
Spot best suited for
Spot profile
Travel spot
The typical kite travel destination, it is known for its great conditions, and kiters from around the world come here for their vacations.
Family spot
Located in an area that offers amenities for all the family and can provide good alternatives for everyone when the kiters are in the water.
Local spot
Maybe not be worth a real journey to reach this spot, but great if you live close by and it is a windy day. In the end, being out on the water feels great anywhere
Equipment
You’ll want a full-length wetsuit year-round—3/2 might do for high summer, but 4/3 is more realistic given how cold the Atlantic stays. Booties help with the rocky areas at low tide and avoid nasty stubbed toes. A helmet and impact vest are smart ideas, especially when wind and waves pick up together. The gusts can slam you unexpectedly, and it pays to be protected.
Wind Conditions
Main wind directions
% of Windy days per month
Wind Speed Range
From 15 to 40 Knots
Suggested sizes
7 mt and below
8 - 9 mt
10 - 11 mt
Forecast on Windy.com
Dangers
Guincho is wild, and while that’s its magic, it’s also what makes it sketchy if you’re not ready. The beach can look so spacious and inviting on arrival, but once you're out there, those conditions can evolve fast—and not always in your favor. The Nortada wind is punchy, often gusting well into 30+ knots with sharp ramps that will yank your kite if you’re sloppy with trim or haven’t sized down. Combine that with overhead waves, and you’ve got a brew that punishes hesitation. I’ve seen solid riders get caught by unexpected chop, knocked into a tangle, and swept down near the headland in minutes.
The shorebreak is particularly dicey when the tide’s pushing, and you need to time your launch and landing smooth—or hope someone’s free to help pull you in. The bottom is mostly sandy, but every rider I know has at least glanced a rock or two hiding around low tide near the northern end.
There’s no zoning, so it’s a free-for-all out there in peak season with surfers, windsurfers, and kites sharing close quarters; makes for great sessions but also spikes the chances of gear collisions or crossed lines. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer but they’re not kite-specific knowledgeable—don’t expect a rescue if you drift too far or snap a line. Self-rescue practice is basically required here. It’s absolutely rideable and enjoyable if you know your gear, pick your moments, and stay alert, but Guincho won’t hold your hand. Total respect for the ocean is the baseline out here.
Location
Closest City
Cascais
How to get There
Coming from Lisbon is a breeze. You can either drive—30 minutes tops if traffic doesn’t screw you—or go the public transport route. Take the train from Cais do Sodré station straight to Cascais (great coastal ride), then hop on either the M15 or M05 local buses that drop you right at Praia do Guincho in about 20–25 minutes. No airport in Cascais itself, so Lisbon Airport is your main gateway.
Access
Totally public—there are no fees or frustrating permit setups for riders. You can park above the beach in a designated lot, but in high season it fills up fast so arrive early or late. The walk from the lot takes just a few minutes down to the sand. There aren’t any kite-restricted areas, but launching with care is key since beachgoers can crowd the lower area near the restaurants.
What to do besides kitesurfing
What I love most about Guincho is how easy it is to mix a charged kite session with relaxing downtime off the water. Once you're packed up and drying your gear, you’re only a short drive or bus ride back to Cascais, which is one of Portugal’s classier coastal towns with way more to do than just send it on a kite.
The streets are narrow and cobbled, super walkable, and packed with local cafés, seafood joints, and bakeries that do a killer pastel de nata. The town has a cruisy, slightly upscale vibe but is still very welcoming to sandy riders in neoprene dragging a boardbag behind them. When the wind isn’t cooperating—or your arms are toast from back-to-back 30 knot days—there’s solid surfing and SUP options right nearby.
Guincho itself handles swell well, and a few surf schools rent gear if you want to switch it up. The vibes at the couple of beach bars actually right on the sand are perfect for sunset chill-outs, with local beer and grilled fish while your kite dries in the background. Families tagging along won’t get bored—there are playgrounds, scenic hiking trails along the cliffs, and quiet bays around Cascais with way calmer waters for swimming or paddleboarding.
Cabo da Roca is barely a 15-minute drive away if you want that real-end-of-the-continent photo backdrop—well worth it on a clear day.Transport-wise, you’re well connected thanks to the Lisbon commuter train and regular bus lines. You can even bike from town to the beach if you’ve got energy to spare along the coast road. Cascais has everything from budget surf hostels to boutique hotels, and it’s super easy to stock up on groceries, wax, kite spares, or grab a local SIM card.
Even when you're not riding, Guincho's natural beauty keeps it interesting—windswept, rugged, and totally engaging. As kite trips go, it’s hard to beat that combo of reef-splitting sessions and world-class post-session recovery in a town that knows how to host. Just make sure your gear—and your legs—can handle it.